As part of the ongoing process to formally demarcate the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the two countries have agreed to exchange several border areas that have been the source of frequent conflicts, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov told the state news agency Kabar.
Japarov stressed that the exchange was not based on strategic interests, but rather focused on resolving tensions in specific areas prone to clashes. Many of the lands involved were either enclaves or irregularly positioned parcels along the border.
He acknowledged criticism from both sides — not just in Kyrgyzstan, but also in Tajikistan, where the government has faced public pushback. Zhaparov argued that resolving border disputes requires compromise and cannot be dictated by the interests of just one village.
The Kyrgyz president declared that the border issue with Tajikistan has been settled for good, saying: "The matter is closed — both sides' interests have been taken into account. History will judge us, and I’m confident it will view this agreement favorably."
The Conflict Line
The border agreement, signed on February 21, now awaits ratification by both countries' parliaments and final approval by their presidents, followed by a formal diplomatic exchange of notes.
Zhaparov explained that after that, demarcation work will continue for another year or two, during which border markers will be physically placed on the ground. He emphasized that the agreement is bilateral — both countries' concerns were considered.
As part of the process, residents living on the "wrong side" of the newly defined border will be relocated, with Tajik citizens moving out of Kyrgyz areas and Kyrgyz citizens leaving Tajik territory.
A Longstanding Dispute
The Kyrgyz-Tajik border stretches about 980 km (610 miles). Negotiations to formally define and map the border began in 2002 but have been repeatedly derailed by violence. Disputes over land, water access, and infrastructure have triggered more than 10 major clashes since 2014, including armed confrontations between civilians and soldiers.
The most serious incident took place in autumn 2022. This agreement now marks a major breakthrough, as Tajikistan was the last of Kyrgyzstan’s neighbors (after China, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan) with whom unresolved border issues remained.
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Based on TASS materials